i. Nature of research:
My main field of research work is the ecology oriented natural biotic and applied biological control of insects and weeds. The first part deals with identification, study, evaluation and attempts to enhance the efficiency of indigenous natural enemies of major insect pests and weeds. The second part deals with the importation, screening and releasing of exotic natural enemies so as to control pests of foreign origin and native pests whose natural enemies fall short of affecting the desired economic level of control.
This type of research work is meant to facilitate sound use of biotic agents either alone or integrated with other appropriate and non disruptive measures in the control strategies of pestiferous species. It also aims at the conservation of the integral components of natural and agro-ecosystems through the avoidance of unnecessary and non-judicious use of pesticides.
In the area of naturally occurring biotic control, I have investigated natural enemies of alfalfa pests. From these studies, recommendations as to means and ways of enhancing
the efficiency of some of the resilient biotic control agents of alfalfa pests was made. I also investigated the prevalence and efficiency of the natural enemies of scale insects and Striga. Similar studies on the natural enemies of store pests (The pulse and ground nut weevils), date palm scale insects, cotton pest (Aphids, white flies and the American bollworm), Striga, grasshoppers, the tree locust and the millet head worm were made by graduate students under my supervision. Other investigations include biology, ecology and control of the sorghum shoot fly and development of mass-culturing techniques of natural
enemies and their hosts or preys.
In the area of applied biological control, I have imported, screened and released three natural enemies (Two weevils and one moth) to control water hyacinth. This effort started in 1978 and by 1980 the three species were established and achieved the first successful case of water hyacinth biocontrol. The success of this project have saved millions of hard and local currency annually spent on the purchase of herbicides and other logistics of the control campaigns. To this, is added the invaluable gain of ridding the Nile ecosystem from hordes of ecological problems created by the pollution effect of a number of herbicides.
Since 1980 and until now not a single Dinar is spent to combat this weed in the Sudan. This classical case of biological control is well known and reputed in Africa and other continents.
I also directed the execution of the biocontrol of the date palm scale insects as requested by the Ministry of Agriculture Animal Wealth and Natural Resources. In this project one exotic predator (Chilocorus bipustulatus) was imported from France, successfully mass-cultured and released against the date palm white scale insect in the Northern State. The species was successfully established and is now exerting appreciable biotic pressure on this pest. This endeavor integrated with the suitable cultural practices which we suggested and tested in collaboration with the regional horticulture and extension departments has saved the region from unnecessary monetary and ecological expenses that would have occurred if the previously intended use of pesticides was executed.
I am also concerned with the biocontrol of Strigathrough the redistribution of promising indigenous biocontrol agents. Of these, three borer species are so far reported only from the Nuba Mountains of Sudan. Two are Smicronyx spp. (stem and root borers) and the third is a shoot boring Ophiomyia sp. (different from O. strigalis which is crown and root miner). These promising biocontrol agents are now moved to other parts of the country and their impact on Striga is being evaluated. Beside this the other known natural enemies of Striga are evaluated and their efficiency as biocontrol agents accessed and compared with their potentials reported from other parts of the world.
I am now involved in research on the ecology of the Desert Locust. In this area I have so far accomplished the following tasks:-
1. Completed the established of the field station at the Red Sea Coast (RSC). The station consists of a guest hose facility, laboratory, and insectary for solitary and gregarious locusts, a one hectare farm and meteorological station.
2. Compiled analyzed and charted historic data of out breaks in the RSC for the building of a D-base, a prerequisite for modeling and delineation of high frequency breading areas (FBAS).
3. Monitoring of DL through light traps and conventional methods assessed, timing & conditions of optimum catches delimited.
4. Fauna and flora associated with DL in different biotopes identified.
5. Role of the most important host plants in the life system of DL investigated through life tables data analysis. Heliotropium spp.were found to be the most important food/shelter plant for solitary locusts.
6. Tests on 2 components of the gregarious mature adult established that one component Phenyl Aceto Nitrile (PAN) is of potential use in managing the behaviour of gregarious nymphs, intensifying cannibalism among crowded nymphs and in control tactics in conjunction with other control methods as it predisposes nymphs to sub-lethal dosages of pesticides and predation. Under field conditions PAN was proven to effect dispersal of marching bands and dispersed them to a higher toll from predation by bards.
7. Conducted exhaustive tests on the fungus Metarhizium acridum which ended in its registration for use as a safe and environment friendly control tool against the desert locust.
8. Conducted exhaustive tests on the adult pheromone (PAN) which ended in its registration for use as a safe and environment friendly control tool against the desert locust.
ii. Published research:
So far I have published 44 scientific papers in symposia, conferences, refried journals and participated in the publishing of one book dealing with Striga.
1. Bashir, M.O. and Venkatraman T.V. (1968). Insect parasite complex of berseem armyworm Spodoptera exiqua (HUBN.) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae). Entomophaga 13 (1):151-158.
2. Ayed, I.A. and Bashir, M.O. (1976). A date palm disease syndrome in the Sudan. Proc. 19th Erkowit Conference. School Extra Mural Studies, U. of K. 1976.
3. Bashir, M.O. (1977). Pesticide pollution, effect on birds, Proc. 19th. Ann. Conf. Philos. Soc. Sudan. pp. 68-92.
4. El Tigani, K.B. and Bashir, M.O. (1978). Control of aquatic weeds. Proc. Symp. Crop Pest Manag. Ministry of Agric. and Irrigation 1978.
5. Bashir, M.O. (1979). Screening of Neochetina eichhorniae for biological control of water Erkowit Conference. School Extra Mural Studies, U. of K. 1976.
6. Habish, A.H. Bashir, M.O. Shawkat, A.B. and Waleed, A. (1980). A study of pests and diseases of sugar beet in Arab countries. Arab Org. for Agric. Dev. and Arab Sugar Fed. Publication No. 633/6. 114 pp. (in Arabic).
7. Bashir, M.O. (1982). Water hyacinth management by natural enemies in the Sudan.
Proc. 2nd. Ann. Conf. Res. Agric. Dev. Ministry of Agriculture and Natural
Resources, Southern Region, Juba. 1982.
8. Irving, N.S. and Bashir, M.O. (1982). Introduction of some natural enemies of water hyacinth to the White Nile, Sudan. Tropical Pest Management, 28(1): 20- 26.
9. Bashir, M.O., El Abjar, Z.E. and Irving, N.S. (1984). Observations on the effect of the weevils Neochetina eichhorniae Warner and Neochetina bruchi Hustache on the growth of water hyacinth. Hydrobiologia, 110: 95-98 Lemnology and Marine Biology in the Sudan.
10. El Abjar, Z.E. and Bashir, M.O. (1984). Biology and Life Tables of Neochetina bruchi Hustache (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) introduced to the White Nile, Sudan for the Biological Control of Water Hyacinth. Zeitschrift fur angewandate Entomologie, 97: 282-286.
11. Bashir, M.O. and Musselman, L.J. (1984). Some natural enemies of Striga hermonthica BENTHAM in the Sudan. Tropical Pest Management, 30(2): 211- 212.
12. Bashir, M.O. (1984). The establishment and distribution of natural enemies released against water hyacinth in the Sudan. Tropical Pest Management, 30 (3): 320-323.
13. Bashir, M.O. and Bennett, F.D. (1984). Biological Control of water hyacinth on the White Nile, Sudan. Proc.VI Int. Symp. Biol. Cont. Weeds, Vancouver 1984, 491-496.
14. Bashir, M.O. (1987). The potential for biocontrol of witch weeds. 183-206. In parasitic Weeds in Agriculture, Volume I, Striga, Ed. Musselman, L. J. CRC Press, Inc. Boca Raton, Florida, 317 pp.
15. Bashir, M.O. (1989). Biological control, prospects against locusts and grasshoppers. 103-113, in AOAD, Publication/89/RG/0057, 249 pp. (In Arabic).
16. El Abjar, E.Z. and Bashir, M.O. (1989). A new strain of Trioxys complanatus Quilis parasitizing the spotted alfalfa aphid in the Sudan. Tropical Pest Management 35 (3): 335-336.
17. Bashir, M.O. (1990). The impact of biocontrol agents of water hyacinth in the Sudan. Proceedings of the International Study Workshop on Newer Methods in the Isolation, Characterization and Evaluation of Biopesticides. USA NRC, BOSTID and ICIPE, Nairobi, Kenya, April 1990.
18. Bashir, M.O. and El Abjar, Z.E. (1991). Biological control, implementation, experience and future prospects in the Sudan. Proceedings of the workshop on the implementation of the international code of conduct on the distribution and use of pesticides, Khartoum, 15-19 September 1991.
19. El Tayeb, N.M. and Bashir, M.O. (1992). Evaluation of Alternaria eichhorniae as a biocontrol agent of water hyacinth in the Sudan. Proceedings of the French-Sudanese Symposium on Phytopathology. INRA and ARC, ARC, Wad Medani, Sudan, 21-24 November 1992.
20. El Abjar, Z.E. and Bashir, M.O. (1992). First record of an Aphelinus species parasitizing Aphis gossypii Glover. U.K. J. Agric. Sci. 1: 125-134.
21. El Abjar, Z.E. and Bashir, M.O. (1993). Notes on population dynamics of the spotted alfalfa aphid Therioaphis trifolii (Monell.) from maculata (Buck.). Plant Protection Directorate Bulletin, 2: 8-20.
22. Bashir, M.O. and El Abjar, Z.E. (1993). Notes on the biology of Trioxys complanatus Quilis parasitizing the spotted alfalfa aphid in the Sudan. Elbahith, 4: 6-26.
23. Bashir, M.O. and Sorkati, I. (1993). Effect of the desert locust on range vegetation in the Red Sea State (competitive consequence with small and large ruminants). In Proceedings of Symposium on desertification management, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.
24. El Abjar, Z.E. and Bashir, M.O. (1996). Studies on the life tables data of Aphis gossypii Glover. Plant Protection Directorate Bulletin, 3 (2): 18-30.
25. Bashir, M. O. (1995). Natural Enemies of locusts and their potential use as biocontrol agents. Univ. of Juba, The Association of Arab Research Councils and The Sudanese National Research Center, Khartoum, 3-5, October 1995.
26. Bashir, M. O. (1995).Preliminary investigations on to effect of a component of the desert locust adult gregarisation pheromone on gregarious nymphs. Symposium on the role of Research in the integrated biological control of the desert locust. Univ. of Juba, The Association of Arab Research Councils and The Sudanese National Research Center, Khartoum, 3-5, October 1995.
27. Bashir, M. O., Hassanali, A. and Rai, M. M. (1995). Cannibalism among desert locust nymphs under stress. Poster presentation at ESA, Las Vegas, 17-22 December 1995.
28. Bashir, M.O. Sorkati, I.A. and Hassanali, A., (1993). The effect of the desert locust (Schistocerca gregaria (Forskål)on the productivity of rangeland vegetation in the Red Sea Coast of the Sudan and its population management through environment friendly control tactics. In: Squires, V. R. & Sidahmed, A. E., (ed), Drylands: Sustainable use of rangelands into twenty-first century. IFAD SERIES: Tech. Rep., pp. 321-328.
28. Bashir, M. O., Hassanali, A. Njagi, P. G. N. Obeng-Ofori,D.and Torto, B.(1998).Gregarisation –disrupting factors in a novel approach of controlling locusts and grasshoppers. In Patent Applications Bull, 35:25-35. Nairobi, Kenya
29. Hassanali, and Bashir, M. O: (1999). Insights for the management of different locust
species from new findings on the chemical ecology of the desert locust. Insect Science and It’s Application. 19 (4), 369-376.
30. Bashir, M. O., Hassanali, A. and Rai, M. M. (2000).Changing oviposition preference
Of the desert locust suggests a strong species predisposition for gregarisation. J.Chem. Ecol. 26:1721-33.
31. Abd Elrahim,M.A., E.Elhassan,S,M. and Bashir,M.O.(2004).Infectivity of Metarhizium flavoviride Gam & Roszypal to the Gregarious Nymphs of Schistocerca gregaria (Forskål) and the Enhancing Effect of Phenylacetonitrile on Mortality . U. of K. J. Agric. Sci.12(2) 196-206.
32. Abd Elrahim,M.A., E.Elhassan,S,M. and Bashir,M.O.(2006). Comparative efficacy of Blastospores and conidia of Metarhizium anisopliae var. Acridum IMI 330189 in the control of the Desert Locust. U. of K. J. Agric. Sci.14(1) 88-103.
33. Abd Elrahim,M.A., E.Elhassan,S,M. and Bashir,M.O.(2007). Effect of medium additives on yield and virulence of Blastospores of Metarhizium anisopliae var. Acridum for Desert Locust control. U. of K. J. Agric. Sci.15 (3) 418-429.
34. Hassanali, A., Bashir M.O., Njagi, P. G. N. and Sidi Ould Ely, (2005). Desert locust gregarisation: a conceptual kinetic model. Journal of Orthoptera Research 14(2), 223-226.
35. Hassanali, A., Njagi, P. G., and Bashir, M. O: (2005). Chemical ecology of locusts
And Related acridids. Ann. Rev. Entomol.50:223-245.
36.Bashir, M. O., and Hassanali, A.(2010). Novel cross-stage solitarising effect of gregarious-phase adult desert locust (Schistocerca gregaria (Forskål)) pheromone on hoppers. Journal of Insect Physiology. 56 : 640-645.
37. Hassanali, A., Bashir M.O., Njagi, P. G. N. and Sidi Ould Ely, (2005). Desert locust gregarisation: a conceptual kinetic model. Journal of Orthoptera Research 14(2), 223-226.
38. Hassanali, A., Njagi, P. G., and Bashir, M. O: (2005). Chemical ecology of locusts
and Related acridids. Ann. Rev. Entomol.50:223-245.
39. Abd Elrahim,M.A., E.Elhassan,S,M. and Bashir,M.O.(2006). Comparative efficacy of Blastospores and conidia ofMetarhizium anisopliae var. AcridumIMI 330189 in the control of the Desert Locust. U. of K. J. Agric. Sci.14(1) 88-103.
40.Ould Ely, S., Mahamat, H., Njagi, P.G.N., Bashir, M. O., El-Tom El-Amin, S., Hassanali, A. (2006). Mate location mechanism and phase-related mate preferences in solitarius desert locust, Schistocerca gregaria. Journal of Chemical Ecology 32 (5), pp. 1057-1069.
41. Abd Elrahim,M.A., E.Elhassan,S,M. and Bashir,M.O.(2007). Effect of medium additives on yield and virulence of Blastospores ofMetarhizium anisopliae var. Acridumfor Desert Locust control. U. of K. J. Agric. Sci.15 (3) 418-429.
42. Rono, E., Njagi, P.G.N., Bashir, M.O., Hassanali, A. (2008). Concentration-dependent parsimonious releaser roles of gregarious male pheromone of the desert locust, Schistocerca gregaria.Journal of Insect Physiology 54 (1), pp. 162-168
43.Bashir, M. O., and Hassanali, A.(2010).Novel cross-stage solitarising effect of gregarious-phase adult desert locust (Schistocerca gregaria (Forskål)) pheromone on hoppers. Journal of Insect Physiology. 56 (2010) 640–645.
44. Ould Ely, S., Mahamat, H., Njagi, P.G.N., Bashir, M. O., El-Tom El-Amin, S., Hassanali, A. (2011). Diel Behavioral Activity Patterns in Adult Solitarious Desert Locus, Schistocerca gregaria (Forscal). Psyche, Hindawi Publishing Corporation, 2011, Article IO 459315, 9 Pages.
45. Phiri, G., L. Navarro, M. Bashir, C. Cilliers, O. Diop, Y. Fayad, and A. Khattab. (2000). Key issues emerging from surveys and case studies. In L. Navarro and G. Phiri (eds.) Water-hyacinth Management Capability in Africa and the Middle East: A Survey of Problems and Solutions. IDRC http://www.idrc.ca/acb/showdetl.cfm?&DID=6&Product_ID=573&CATID=15
46. Mohamad, M. M., Elshafie, H.A., and Bashir, M.O. (2011). Use of Teflubenzuron alone and combined with Metarhizium anisopliae and Phenyacetonitrile as control agent against the Desert Locust Schistocerca gregaria (Forskal) (Orthoptera: Acrididae). Agric. Biol. J. N. Am. 2 (9):1293-1303.
47. Ould Etheimine, M., Bashir, M. O., Ely, S.,; Ould Mohamed, S., Ould Babah, M. A., Cherif1, K. and Mounsif, B.(2013). Effect of vegetation height and cover on the efficacy and residual effect of Metarhizium acridum conidia used in control tactics against the Desert Locust nymphs (Schistocerca gregaria) (Forskål). U. of K. J. Agric. Sci.21 (2) 211-2013.
48.Magzoub, O. B., Hassanali, A., Korena, H. H., and Bashir, A. W. (2014). Boma Trials on the Use of the Gregarious-Adult Pheromone Phenylacetonitrile of the Desert Locust Schistoceca gregaria (Forskål, 1775) and Metarhizium acridum in the management of Nymphs. U. of K. J. Agric. Sci.22 (1) 64-83.
49. Ould Etheimine, M., Bashir, M. O., Ely, S.,; Ould Mohamed, S., Ould Babah, M. A., Cherif1, K. and Mounsif, B.(2013). Efficacy and persistence of Metarhizium acridum
(Hypocreales: Clavicipitaceae) used against desert locust larvae, Schistocerca gregaria
(Orthoptera: Acrididae), under different vegetation cover types. International Journal of Tropical Insect Science Vol. 34, No. 2, pp. 106–114, 2014.
iii. Papers with Refries for Publication
1. Bashir, M. O., and Hassanali, A. Boma trials on the use of the Desert Locust adult pheromone for the management of marching bands. Journal of Insect Physiology.
2. Bashir, M. O., and Hassanali, A. Real field application of the Desert Locust adult pheromone as anew control tactic of the Desert locust gregarious nymphs. Journal of Orthopteran Research.
3. Bashir, M. O., and Hassanali, A. and Badr, E.S. Ecotoxicology studies on PN and PAN /GM combinations. Journal of Chemical Ecology.
iv. Papers Presented for Publication
1. Effect of the Desert Locust nymph pheromone blend on the reproductive physiology of mature adults. Journal of Orthopteran Research, September, 2013.
2. The role of Heliotropium species in the life system of the Desert Locust Schistocerca gregaria (Forskål) Insect Science and its Application. October, 2013.
v. Papers in Preparation
1.Dahab,A.A،and Bashir,M.O.Effects of Desert Locust adult aggregation pheromone alone, and integrated with fractionaldoses of Carbosulfan on target Desert Locust and non-target tenebrionid species in Cages.
2. Dahab, A.A،, Bashir, M.O. and Hassanali. An assessment of biological and chemical
Desert locust control agents on ground –dwelling arthropods in Red Sea Costal area,
Sudan Using present absent sampling method
vi. Reports:
I have also submitted the following technical reports and project documents:
1. Project on the Biological Control of Water Hyacinth in the Sudan (Requested by NCR, PPD and the German GTZ).1976.
2. Quarantine and Insectary Facilities (justification, design and cost). Requested by NCR). 1977.
3. A report on insect releases in Kosti area and the Southern Region (Submitted to NCR and PPD). 1978.
4. Testing of Skima 4 Hovercraft in the Southern Region for insect distribution and surveys in connection with the biological control of water hyacinth. (Submitted to NCR and PPD). 1978.
5. Project on the Biological Control and Utilization of Water Hyacinth in the Sudan. (Requested by NCR and the Ministry of Agriculture and Irrigation to submit to international organizations) 1981.
6. Use of the Fungus Metarhizium anisopliae Var acridum in the control of locusts with reference to schistoceca gregaria (Forscal) and Locusta migratoria migratoriodes (R. & F.). The 70th. Meeting of the Pests and Disease Committee May 2004.
7. Use of the adult gregarization pheromone Phenyl Aceto Nitrile (PAN) in the control of the Desert Locust Schistoceca gregaria (Forscal).
The 72nd. Meeting of the Pest and Disease Committee.
8. Annual Reports, Water Hyacinth Biological Control Project (7 reports for the period 1977 – 1984) (Submitted to NCR and Ministry of Agriculture and Irrigation).
9. A project on the Biological Control of Striga hermonthica in the Sudan. Requested by the Striga Project. 1983.
10. A survey of Parasitic Weeds and some other pests in the vicinity of Juba, Yei and Upper Talanga 21-29 March 1983 by L.J. Musselman and M.O. Bashir.
11. Striga survey in the Vicinity of Kadugli, South Kordofan. 1983 by L.J. Musselman and M.O. Bashir.
12. A. Project on the Study, Assessment and Control of Pests and Diseases of Date Palm in the Sudan. 1983 Requested by the Ministry of Agriculture and Irrigation and FAO.
13. A Report on Pests and disease problems in the vegetable farm of the Arab Authority for Agricultural Development and Investment at Umdom, Khartoum, Sudan 1985.
14. A project on the biological control of the date palm scale insect Parlatoria blanchardii in the Northern Region of Sudan, submitted to Sudanese NCR and FAO 1985.
15. Project on the study and control of pests that cause cotton lint stickiness, 1988. Requested by the Sudan Cotton Marketing Corporation.
16. Plan of operation for the Sudanese German Services for Fruit and Vegetable Farmers Project, in collaboration with the project Manager, Dr. El Wasila Gadura and Amin Hussen 1988.
17. Three annual reports to the Sudanese German Services for vegetable and Fruit Farmers on the progress of the biological control of the date palm scale insects during 1988-1991.
18. Three reports (1990) to UNDP, ADS on proposals for integrated pest control in their areas of activities in the Sudan.
19. A project on the study and development of the natural enemies of locusts and grasshoppers, (1990). Presented to the team leader of the locust and grasshoppers control project, Sudan as requested by FAO.
20. Field Ecology Research Proposal on the Desert Locust at the Red Sea Coastal Region of the Republic of the Sudan. Requested by ICIPE, Nairobi, Kenya 1991.
21. Research recommendations on the control of insect pests and diseases of vegetables and fruits in the Sudan (1991). Requested by the Sudanese German Integrated Services for Vegetable and Fruit Farmers. (Report translated to Arabic and information printed in pamphlets to distribute to farmers).
22. Plan of Operation for the Sudanese German Services for Fruit and Vegetable Farmers Project, Proposal for phase III, in collaboration with the project Manager Dr. Elwasila Gadura 1992.
23. Over 15 reports submitted to FAO and IFAD on the development of the field research work on the desert locust at the ICIPE field research station at the Red Sea Coast, Port Sudan, Sudan, during the period January, 1994 to April, 1996.
24. Report on the situation and management strategies of the red locust (Nomadacris septemfasciata) in Botswana and Namibia Caprivi strip. Presented to the GTZ,
1998.
25. In collaboration with Professor Ahmed Hassanali and members of the Department of Chemical Ecology drafted and presented the proposal on the development of semiochemicals-based management strategies for the desert locust 2002.
